Origin

A Latin mortarium was the sort of mortar you use with a pestle to grind things. The gun got its name in the mid 16th century because its dumpy shape reminded people of a mortar. The mortar you use for bonding bricks is recorded from the mid-13th century and probably got its name from the same mortar, because the ingredients are ground up. See also piston

Origin

A Latin mortarium was the sort of mortar you use with a pestle to grind things. The gun got its name in the mid 16th century because its dumpy shape reminded people of a mortar. The mortar you use for bonding bricks is recorded from the mid-13th century and probably got its name from the same mortar, because the ingredients are ground up. See also piston